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LORDSTOWN -- The police chief and a police captain expressed to village council on Monday the need for new body cameras, stun weapons and dashboard cameras, and outlined their efforts to seek grants to pay for them.
Police Chief Brent Milhoan and police Capt. Chris Bordonaro said they would like to purchase 13 body cameras and 13 stun weapons for the officers, and 10 dashboard cameras for the department's cruisers.
Councilman Lamar Liming said council wants to buy the body cameras and stun weapons but wants to wait on the dashboard cameras even though he knows the price could increase if the future.
Council gave first reading to purchase the body cameras and stun weapons for $157,032, but that amount could change depending on what council decides to move forward with purchasing before the final reading at its meeting Oct. 15.
The dashboard cameras were to cost $137,466, but this also could change if council waits on that purchase.
Council President Ron Radtka said council members will see if the village can afford the purchases. A finance meeting is set for Oct. 10.
Milhoan, who has been chief for 20 years, said if the items are purchased together now, the village would see a savings of about $10,000.
"This is a sizable investment. We have two vehicles with no recording system but we are continuing to record from all the other cars," he said.
He said the items can be purchased "a la carte" if needed.
Milhoan said even if the dashboard cameras were ordered now, they would take nine to 10 months to arrive. He said such cameras are used by police in Boardman, Canfield, Austintown and Warren.
Bordanaro said grants could be sought for body cameras, noting Jackson Township received a $20,000 grant for such cameras.
"With the grants, you have to be very specific on what you are asking for. There are grants available for body cameras," he said.
Councilman Terry Campbell, a retired police officer, said the body cameras are important for the officers to have.
"Times have changed. Today we have police officers being shot and killed on a daily basis. We need to get this to protect our officers," Campbell said.
Milhoan said body cameras protect the officers as well as the village.
"The officers have to go into different homes and cars. These recordings are not only valuable for court purposes but protecting the officers and the village," he said.
In other business, council decided to have the police and planning / zoning committees do further review on unlicensed motor vehicles in the village.
Milhoan said it was suggested during a recent safety committee meeting that the regulating and citing of junk unlicensed vehicles go back to committee for more discussion.
In other matters, council:
• Heard from residents of Hallock Young Road about large trucks carrying construction materials being lost and looking for a specific address on the road that is not posted. Mayor Arno Hill asked that the address, 1800 Hallock Young Road, have a sign posted to help trucks find the location;
• Announced the community picnic is 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the park;
• Approved advertising for two laborer / operator positions for the road department. Road supervisor Ron Hickcox said the department has been short two staff for more than a year.
• Rescheduled the second meeting next month to 6 p.m. Nov. 21.